The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop report shows that almost all of the nation’s corn is in the silk stage, and most of it is in pretty good shape. The National Corn Growers Association says 96 percent of corn acres having achieved the silking stage as of August 9 and 51 percent of corn acres is in the doughing stage. Meanwhile, the overall corn crop condition held strong with 70 percent of acres now rated in good or excellent condition.

After trailing the five-year average of acres having achieved the doughing stage trailing the five-year average for weeks, the acres having reached the doughing stage moved one point ahead of that number by August 9. In this first estimate of the acres in the dented stage, the progress trailed the five-year average by six points.

Crop condition estimates remained approximately the same with one point added to the percentage of the crop rated excellent this week. At this point last year, 73 percent of corn acres were in good or excellent condition.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says the weekend’s rains really helped some areas but hurt other places.

“Crops remain in very good condition across much of the state. The rains that crossed the state this weekend were welcome in many areas. Unfortunately, some areas, especially in southern Iowa, have suffered as a result of too much moisture,” Northey said.